Misc. Slovak Hockey News

[Dan Galvin]

What realistic chances does Tatar have in making the team?

[jaaa]

What realistic chances does Tatar have in making the team?

Realistic? Probably miserable to none.....It´s probably more of an gaining experience thing with him and Janus at the camp...

With the WHC 2010 in Germany, that sounds way more realistic, that is if he plays in Zvolen...

[jaaa]

Hkm Zvolen signed F Jan Kopecký from HC Košice who has already previously played for them.

[Piotrek]

HK Nitra resign of signing D Roman Guričan after yesterday's game against GKS Tychy. HK Nitra head coach said he gave a chance a few new players, and some of them wasn't good enough to play in Nitra. In this group was Guričan .

[jaaa]

HK Nitra resign of signing D Roman Guričan after yesterday's game against GKS Tychy. HK Nitra head coach said he gave a chance a few new players, and some of them wasn't good enough to play in Nitra. In this group was Guričan .

It was three players, except for Guričan also forwards Miroslav Pupák and MIchal Šúrek

[jaaa]

Golden Puck 2009

Best player:
1.Zdeno Chára (Boston Bruins/NHL)
2.Marián Hossa (Detroit Red Wings/NHL)
3.Žigmund Pálffy (HK 36 Skalica/SVK)
4. Miroslav Šatan (Pittsburgh Penguins/NHL)
5.Pavol Demitra (Vancouver Canucks/NHL)

Best female hockey player:
1.Zuzana Tomčíková (Bemidji State University/USA)
2.Iveta Karafiátová (LHC Linkoping/SWE)
3.Jana Kapustová (Tornado Moscow/RUS)

Best U20 player:
1. Tomáš Tatar (HKm Zvolen)
2. Jaroslav Janus (Erie Otters/OHL)
3. Richard Pánik(HC Oceláři Třinec/CZE)

Best goaltender:
1. Jaroslav Halák (Montreal Canadiens / NHL)
2. Peter Budaj (Colorado Avalanche/NHL)
3. Jaroslav Janus (Erie Otters/OHL)

Best defender:
1. Zdeno Chára (Boston Bruins/NHL)
2. Ľubomír Višňovský(Edmonton Oilers/NHL)
3. Andrej Sekera (Buffalo Sabres/NHL)

Best forward:
1. Marián Hossa (Detroit Red Wings/NHL)
2. Žigmund Pálffy (HK 36 Skalica)
3. Miroslav Šatan (Pittsburgh Penguins/NHL, Wilkes-Barre Scranton/AHL)

Best coach:
1. Anton Tomko (HC Košice)
2 .Štefan Mikeš (SR 20)
3. Miroslav Karafiát (SR ženy)

Best referee
1. Peter Ország
2. Vladimír Baluška
3. Milan Novák

Slovnaft Extraliga All-stars team:
Goaltender: Július Hudáček (HC Košice)
Defender: Jan Hranáč(HK 36 Skalica), Ján Tabaček (HC Košice)
Forwards: Žigmund Pálffy (HK 36 Skalica), Juraj Mikúš (HK 36 Skalica), Rudolf Huna (HC Košice)

There was no big upset in this years edition of the Golden puck awards in the "big" categories, but it still has brought some surprises. Probably everybody expected that Zdeno Chára would stand at the absolute top this year, so the best defender award is no surprise either.
While some migth have expected Žigmund Pálffy to overtake Marián Hossa´s three year bets forward run, Hossa´s win can´t be called an upset. Jaroslav Halák´s win was expected as well and while some may have had chosen Jaroslav Janus as the top U20 palyer, Tomáš Tatar´s win ain´t a shocker either.
And there is no need to comment on the repeat of Peter Országh´s (who has become the first Slovak referee in the WHC final in 15 years) or on Zuzana Tomčíkova´s win.
The first surprise that the night brought was the best coach category,the general anticipation was that Štefan Mikeš, who led the WJC team to the surprise 4th place or if not him then Miroslav Karafiát,who has coached the 17th ranked Slovak women national team to the Olympics and to the top division of the world women championships. However in the end Košice´s Extraliga win after 10 long dry years has brought the trophee to Anton Tomko.
But the real shocker of the night didn´t come until the Slovnaft Extraliga All-stars team was announced, all 6 players came form the top two teams, HC Košice and HK 36 Skalica were represented with 3 palyers each. While the defense and attack were generally expected to finish the way they did, Július Hudáček as the top goaltender is a huge upset even for many Košice fans. While the still 20 years old goaltender has stopped Pálffy in the shootout of game 6 of the final 3 out of 3 times, he has only played 30 games over the year and for the most part was only the back-up in Košice and it really was surprising to see him chosen in front of Hkm Zvolen´s Ján Laco, HC 05 Banská Bystrica´s Imrich Petrík, who both have had break out seasons in the league (and ironically both were previously only back-up goalies in Košice) or even Slovan´s Finnish import Sasu Hovi.


Meanwhile Dárius Rusnák became the 24th person to be inducted in the Slovak Hockey Hall of Fame. Rusnák has played 436 Czechoslovak league games and scored 186 goals and he´s appeared in 156 games of the Czechoslovakian national team scoring 68 goals. He´s won all medals from the WHC as well as the silver medal from the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo. Except for the Olympics medal some of his biggest achievements were captaining the Czechoslovak national team to the gold medal win on home soil in Prague in 1985 and winning the Czechoslovak title with Slovan Bratislava as the first Slovak team ever.
To Rusnák´s delight both of his sons followed in his footstepd, the younger one Ondrej has represented Slovakia at the last WJC in Ottawa and is expected to suit up for Slovan this comming seaon after spending two years with the Slovakia U20 development team in Púchov. The older of the two brothers, Dárius Rusnák Jr. is currently with an another Extraliga team, MHK 32 Liptovský Mikuláš after spending last season in the Czech republic.

The awards ceremony also included an exhibiton game between the Slovak national team and Extraliga winner HC Košice. Today´s hockey night in Košice was entitled "The best against the best" by the Slovak federation, however not all players were able to suit up either because of an injury (Hossa, Višňovský, Demitra, Radivojevič, Obšut) and some weren´t released by their KHL teams or couldn´t attend because of family reasons. The game was definitely slowed down by stopping it every 5 minutes to award the Golden puck winners during a short break. Also while the 1st period took 20 minutes as usually, the 2nd and 3rd only took 15 minutes. In the end after 50 minutes of play the champions Košice have beaten the Slovak National Team 5:3 and the only player who managed to score on HC Košice´s young goalies Július Hudáček and Dominik Pec was SC Bern´s Ľuboš Bartečko.


Slovakia- HC Košice 3:5 (1:2, 1:2,1:1)

1-0 06:44 Ľuboš Bartečko
1-1 08:12 Richard Jenčík (Juraj Sýkora, Marcel Šimurda) EQ
1-2 18:05 Marcel Šimurda (Richard Jenčík, Juraj Sýkora) EQ
1-3 33:13 Juraj Sýkora (Ján Tabaček, Marcel Šimurda) PP1
2-3 33:13 Ľuboš Bartečko (Richard Lintner) EQ
2-4 39:52 Henrik Höglund (Martin Marinčin)
2-5 43:27 Henrik Höglund (Peter Húževka, Jaroslav Kmiť) EQ
3-5 43:56 Ľuboš Bartečko EQ

SOG: 35:30 PIM:4:2

Line-ups:
Slovakia:
2 Jaroslav Janus GK
3 Zdenko Chára D
7 Ivan Baranka D
8 Martin Cibák F
9 Štefan Ružička F
10 Marián Gáborík F
13 Juraj Kolník F
14 Andrej Meszároš D
23 Ľuboš Bartečko F
25 Ján Lašák GK
26 Michal Handzuš F
28 Peter Őlvecký F
31 Peter Budaj GK
41 Richard Lintner D
44 Andrej Sekera F
48 Boris Valábik D
56 Vladimír MihalikD
68 Milan Jurčina D
71 Juraj Mikúš F
81 Marcel Hossa F
82 Tomáš Kopecký F
90 Tomáš Tatár F

HC Košice:
11 Jaroslav Kmiť F
14 Juraj KledroWetzD
16 Ondrej Gmitter F
18 Radek Deyl D
19 Michel Miklík F
21 Rudolf Huna F
22 Ján Homer D
25 Richard Jenčík F
26 Michal Pichnarčík D
27 Peter Húževka F
28 Marcel Šimurda F
33 Július Hudáček GK
35 Dominik Pec GK
40 Marek Mertel F
43 Peter Bartoš F
52 Martin Marinčin D
67 Henrik Höglund F
74 Marcel Baláž F
80 Ján Tabaček D
83 Juraj Sýkora F
91 Juraj Faith F
97 Stanislav Gron F


Košice started the game very slowly, they were thorughly dominated by the national team players for the most part of the first period. Part of the reason of thus might have been the fact that 7 players in their starting line-up are between 17-21 years old: D Martin Marinčin(17), who has yet to play in a senior league, D Michal Pichnarčík (18), who has spent mos of last season in the 1.liga and ha splayed some games for Slovakia U20 team, F Marek Mertel (20), who came to Košice after two years with the Slovakia U20 team and Nitra, G Július Hudáček (20), an another former Team Slovakia U20 player who has gained the No.1 job after one year in Košice and two 21 year olds forwards Ondrej Gmitter and Marcel Baláž who have spent the last season in 1.liga.
The first goal of the game came from Ľuboš Bartečko,who gave Team Slovakia lead with a goal that was most probably seen only by the referee, Bartečko didn´t even really notice the goal himself. However after the short break when the first award was awarded Košice came back way more lively than before and Richard Jenčík tied the game, in the second period Košice managed to build a 3-1 lead, all the goals were a result of co-operation between Košice´s third line of Šimurda, Jenčík and Sýkora. But then Bartečko scored again and before the end of the second period his goal was answered by Košice´s new Swedish forward Henrik Hoglund, who became the player of the year in the Norwegian league last year. in the 3rd period the two same players scored again, but this time Hoglund managed it first and Bartečko only cut Košice´s lead from 2:5 to 3:5.

Of course since it was an exhibition game we´ve seen some unusual aspects, for example Buffalo Sabres D Andrej Sekera has started the game as a forward or all 5 players on the ice for Slovakia being D-men during one shift and altogether 5 goaltenders were in the Team Slovakia net including the top women hockey player winner Zuzana Tomčíková.

Just a note: Chairman of Slovak parliament Pavol Paška dropped the first face-off and he also awarded Chára the Best player award. However the fans in Steel Aren have displayed their disgust at his presence there by whistling him out. Yes, politics and hockey shouldn´t be combined together.
Košice too changed their goalie from Hudáček to Dominik Pec midway through the game.

[Piotrek]

It was three players, except for Guričan also forwards Miroslav Pupák and MIchal Šúrek

Yes, I know, but Gurican played in Ciarko KH Sanok last season, and about him was news on polish site.

[Szef]

not Roman, but Marek Guričan

[Piotrek]

not Roman, but Marek Guričan

What source?
Because all sources I found are saying Guričan first name is Roman.

[Szef]

I'm not telling you that Roman's name is Marek, the thing is that Roman Guričan was not the player who practised and played in some preseason games with Nitra, it was Marek Guričan

[Piotrek]

I'm not telling you that Roman's name is Marek, the thing is that Roman Guričan was not the player who practised and played in some preseason games with Nitra, it was Marek Guričan

Yes, I read it on hokejportal.sk. But polish site hokej.net said it was Roman Guričan. I checked Marek Guričan on eurohockey.net, and there his last season is 2003/04, if I remember well. Roman's last season on eurohockey.net is 2006/07 but in years 2007-2009 he played in Sanok. So maybe I'm wrong, but I think Roman Guričan was tested by Nitra. Any voice from Slovakia in this case?

[canyonero]

Could one of the slovak hockey experts, jaa or sosu, can help me with the player career of Anton Tomko, head coach of HC Kosice ?
I know that he played for his hometown Presov for many years, also played in Kosice & in Slovenia. He also represented CSSR at U18 & U20 Level.

Does somebody have more exact information?

Thanks

C.

[Snowie]

I'm not telling you that Roman's name is Marek, the thing is that Roman Guričan was not the player who practised and played in some preseason games with Nitra, it was Marek Guričan

You're wrong - it was Roman. Some Slovak sources said it was Marek, some it was Roman. And I even remember one news which said Marek in text and Roman in camp rosters just under text.But photos from trainings leave no doubt it was former Sanok player.

[sosu]

Could one of the slovak hockey experts, jaa or sosu, can help me with the player career of Anton Tomko, head coach of HC Kosice ?
I know that he played for his hometown Presov for many years, also played in Kosice & in Slovenia. He also represented CSSR at U18 & U20 Level.

Does somebody have more exact information?

Thanks

C.

as you wrote - he was born and grown up in Prešov. he played there and was a representant U18 (silver medal from the Europe championship in Minsk)
in 1981/1982 he was in Košice and U20 representation. then he went back to Prešov, studied at the university and also helped his home team to get from the 1. liga to extraliga.
then he went with Vladimir Svitek and Anton Bartánus to Slovenia - HK Triglav Kranj. he played here for two years and then was a coach for four years
back to Slovakia he helped with youth in Prešov, when mr. Hovorka came he was assistant coach in Prešov, then he was coaching Prešov U18 and after a year also Prešov's A team
in 2004/2005 he was assistant to Hovorka again - in Žilina. year after the coach changed - mr. Šterbák - and they won the title (against Poprad ) then they both went to Košice, and here he is now...

so, till 1981/1982 in Prešov, than this one single year in Košice, then again in Prešov
1984/85/86 in Triglav as a player, than four years as a coach and back to Slovakia...

hope this helped, I've got it all from an article about him which was in a magazine

[canyonero]

Thanks a lot, sosu.
Your help is much appreciated!

1. eurohockey.net states, that he played for Prešov as well in 1993/94. see: A. Tomko @ www.eurohockey.net

Is that possible?

2. Wasn't Prešov promoted to 1. SNHL, so 2nd tier of CSSR ?



C.

[sosu]

ad. 1. - I really don't know, it was not mentioned in that article, maybe it's a mistake in statistics and it has to be 1983/1984, who knows (there are mistakes, for example Marek Uram has got one season in Poprad there - and he has never been playing here...)

ad. 2. - Prešov played in 1. SNHL for 18 seasons. in extraliga (which was created after 1993) they played 4 seasons, now they are in 1. liga (1. HLSR).
before the 1. SNHL there was a league called "Slovak Championships" in years 1930-1944, in year 1932 they won it and three times they were second.

[canyonero]

...here are mistakes, for example Marek Uram has got one season in Poprad there - and he has never been playing here...

Thanks for your comments. If you find mistakes or wrong stats on eurohockey, send a PN to Alessandro Seren Rosso - he really appreciates any hints!

[sosu]

Thanks for your comments. If you find mistakes or wrong stats on eurohockey, send a PN to Alessandro Seren Rosso - he really appreciates any hints!

nice to know, thanks, I will do it! 'cuz I know about a lot of mistakes there...

[canyonero]

'cuz I know about a lot of mistakes there...

...Nobody is perfect

BTW: Do you know what Gabriel Špilár is doing - did he find a job? Somewhre I read that he changed his name to Spilar recently - is that true?

[sosu]

...Nobody is perfect

BTW: Do you know what Gabriel Špilár is doing - did he find a job? Somewhre I read that he changed his name to Spilar recently - is that true?

yes, nobody, that's why I am glad I know that it can be correct :)

and yes, he changed his name to Spilar and he is back to Žilina this season. I have seen him playing in two matches, he is not that good he used to be, but still a hockey player ;) now he is injured, but I don't know what is up with him. I hope he will be okay to the match with Poprad, because I want to see him, he is one of my favourites...

[Piotrek]

Miroslav Ihnačák is new coach of HK Trebisov. Trebisov signed too two players wi Polish past: Dušan Brincko and František Koky.

[jaaa]

Former Slovan Bratislava player Ján Taraba will replace Igor Nemček as the general secretary of the Slovak icehockey federation.

[vorky]

look at this. http://www.fansmhk32.sk/html/snv.html

[jaaa]

Best hockey player in 2011/2012
Marián Gáborík
Marián Hossa
Zdeno Chára
Ján Laco
Miroslav Šatan

Pavol Demitra Award for best junior player
Marko Daňo
Tomáš Jurčo
Matúš Chovan

Vladimír Dzurilla Award for best goalie
Jaroslav Halák
Peter Hamerlík
Ján Laco

Róbert Švehla Award for best D-man
Dominik Graňák
Zdeno Chára
Andrej Sekera

Jozef Golonka Award for best forward
Mariá Gáborík
Marián Hossa
Miroslav Šatan

Ladislav Horský Award for best coach
Ernest Bokroš
Peter Oremus
Vladimír Vůjtek

Juraj Okoličány Award for best refferee
Vladimír Baluška
Milan Novák
Miroslav Valach

Tipsport Extraliga 2011/2012 All Stars
G Branislav Konrád (Slovan Bratislava)
D Ivan Švárný (HC Slovan Bratislava), D Ján Tabaček (HC Košice)
F Žigmund Pálffy (HK 36 Skalica), Miroslav Šatan (HC Slovan Bratislava), Libor Hudáček (HC Slovan Bratislava)

[jaaa]

Best hockey player in 2011/2012
Marián Gáborík
Marián Hossa
Zdeno Chára
Ján Laco
Miroslav Šatan

Pavol Demitra Award for best junior player
Marko Daňo
Tomáš Jurčo
Matúš Chovan

Vladimír Dzurilla Award for best goalie
Jaroslav Halák
Peter Hamerlík
Ján Laco

Róbert Švehla Award for best D-man
Dominik Graňák
Zdeno Chára
Andrej Sekera

Jozef Golonka Award for best forward
Marián Gáborík
Marián Hossa
Miroslav Šatan

Ladislav Horský Award for best coach
Ernest Bokroš
Peter Oremus
Vladimír Vůjtek

Juraj Okoličány Award for best refferee
Vladimír Baluška
Milan Novák
Miroslav Valach

Tipsport Extraliga 2011/2012 All Stars
G Branislav Konrád (Slovan Bratislava)
D Ivan Švárný (HC Slovan Bratislava), D Ján Tabaček (HC Košice)
F Žigmund Pálffy (HK 36 Skalica), Miroslav Šatan (HC Slovan Bratislava), Libor Hudáček (HC Slovan Bratislava)

And the winners are...in bold...